Apparatus for manufacturing tires



0a. 14, 1941. A, H SCH ET AL 2,259,162

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES Filed Nov. 4, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet l XXI INVENTOR. ALF c. mesa/1 JUL/[IV l-T cums/v ARNOLD R. mam/s: BY HOWARD o. HUTCHENS K M Am Oct. 14, 1941.

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APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES Filed Nov. 4, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. H/RSCH CULLEN menus: o. HUTCHLNS ATTORNE S.

JUL/EN ARNOLD HOWARD 1941. A. c. HIR SCH ETAL APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURI NG TIRES 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 4

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Oct. 14, 1941.

A. C. HIRSCH ETAL APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES Filed Nov. 4, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 .m Eww H LAT wv m [HER A ALF JUL/EN ARNOLD BY HOWARD o Oct. 14, 1941. A. c. HIRSCH ETAL APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES l6 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Nov. 4, 1937 v h PPM NHN MWN O own QVN hmm 6 R an s m 5 w m mw M Wmw H m k c D mwn 5% M ke JAH Y B Oct. 14, 1941. A. c. HIRSCH ETAL 2,259,162

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TJIRES Filed Nov. 4, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 VEN TOR. ALF c. H/RSCH ARNOL R. KRAUSE Y HOW/4kg a. HUTCHENS ATTORNEYS. I

- A. C. HIRSCH ET AL APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTUR ING TIRES Oct. 14, 1941 Filed Nov. 4, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVEN TOR.

H/RSCH HOWARD o. HUTCHENS 6g ATTORNEYS.

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Oct. 14, 1941. Q HlRSCH ETAL 2,259,162

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTUR I NG T IRE S Filed Nov. 4, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet l4 Z IN ENTOR.

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Oct. 14, 1941. A, c, HIR CH HAL 2,259,162

APPARATUS FOR MANUFAQ' IURING TIRES Filed Nov. 4, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet l5 Y 2 I L ALF c ZYZQZ 62 g)- 50 2 5w y m BY HOWARD o. HUTCHE/VS A TTORN E YS.

Oct. 14, 1941- A. c. HIRS CH ETAL 2,259,162

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES l6 Sheets-Sheet 16 Filed Nov. 4, 1937 mmm "192 any. '30 H.LVd

BY HOWARD o. HUTCHENS IN VEN TOR.

1-. ARNOLD R atentecl Oct. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,259,162 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES tion of New Jersey Application November 4, 1937, Serial No. 172,710

17 Claims.

This invention relates to pneumatic tires, and in particular it relates to apparatus for automatically assembling the various elements of pneumatic tires.

In general, the apparatus of the invention includes a tire building support comprising a pair of drums spaced apart and adapted to receive tire elements, and automatic means adapted to measure, cut, and supply the tire elements to the tire building support in proper sequence and without interruption of a tire building cycle.

Heretofore the assembly of tire components has been essentially a manual operation, and as such the operation required skilled labor. Associated with manual assembly of tire components is its attendant variation from uniformity and increased requirement of more rigid inspection. Among the objects of the present invention are, to overcome these objectionable conditions and in addition to provide increased efficiency in the manufacture of pneumatic tires; to provide increased tire production per unit area of floor space; to provide an apparatus of assembling tire elements in which plies under the bead wires may be assembled independently of or simultaneously with the application of plies over the bead wires; to facilitate stock concentration; and to reduce errors attributed to manual operations.

These and other objects and advantages will appear more fully in the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus embodying features of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view, in section, of a portion of the mechanism in back of the frame shown in Fig. 2, this section being taken along line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a continuation of the view shown in Fig. 3,'taken along line IVIV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a tire building support and associated mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an end View thereof, partly in section;

Fig. 7 is an end view of one of the tire building supports, as viewed from line VII-VII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and as viewed from line VIII-VIII;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevational view, in section, of the mechanism in back of the frame shown in Fig. 8, this section being taken along lines IX-IX of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a side view, in section, of a festoon operating mechanism, taken along line XX of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan view, somewhat enlarged, of a portion of the view shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the tire building supports and cooperative mech anism associated with the supports;

Fig. 12 is an end view, in section, of a device for cutting the first ply fabric, taken along line XII-XII of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11, with the frame plate removed;

Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of mechanism for feeding and cutting second ply fabric;

Fig. 15 is a plan view, in section, of cutter operating mechanism, taken along line XV-XV of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 14, and, further, is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a side view, in section, of control mechanism for operating the fabric feeding device, taken along line XVIIXVII of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a front elevational view of mechanism for feeding and cutting tread stock;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of mechanism for guiding tread stock after the cutting operation;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the tread mechanism shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged side view, in section, of timing mechanism, taken along line XXL-XXI of Fig. 1;

Figs. 22 to 30, inclusive, illustrate various steps in the method of manipulating the tire components on the building supports;

Fig. 31 is a wiring diagram illustrating an electrical control of ply feeding devices; and

Fig. 32 is a wiring diagram illustrating electrical connections between the principal switches and solenoids of the apparatus.

While we have shown an apparatus designed particularly for building a two-ply pneumatic tire, it is to be understood that the mechanism may be arranged for automatically assembling tires having more than two plies.

In certain of the views in the drawings, unrelated parts of the mechanisms have been omitted in order to illustrate more clearly the specific subject of the embodiment being described. It is to be understood, however, that it is intended that each view include all of the mechanism properly associated therewith as disclosed by the complete embodiment.

With particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the apparatus may be divided into a number of units or stations, among which are a tire building support indicated by the reference character I, first ply feeding and cutting mechanism 2, first ply supply mechanism 3, second ply feeding and cutting mechanism 4, second ply supply mechanism 5, tread feeding and cutting mechanism 6, and tread supply mechanism 1. The principal portions of the apparatus are supported by a front frame 8, a back frame 9, and side frames 10 and II.

Tire building support The tire building support is shown in particular in Figs. 2, 5, and 11. Essentially, it comprises a driven drum I2 and an idler drum l3. Each of these drums is provided with grooves l4 (Fig. 11) for the purpose of positioning and spacing bead wires 483 forming componentparts of pneumatic tires. The drum I2 is keyed to a shaft l5 rotatably mounted in a bearing l6 attached-to the frame 8. The idler drum I3 is rotatably mounted on a shaft l1 secured to an arm' |8 pivotally connected to frame 8 at I9. The 'drum l3 is positioned in spaced relation to drum l2, and in a manner to permit tire bead wires to be positioned in the grooves l4 in the drums.

Before the bead wires are applied to the tire building drum, the drum I3 is in its inoperative position; that is, the arm I8 is moved on its pivot to bring the drum l3 in closer relationship to the drum |2. In this position the bead wires may be easily positioned in the grooves of the drums |2 and I3. When this operation has been completed, the operator presses a foot pedal 28 (Fig. 5) connected to a vertical shaft 2 I. As the pedal 20 is moved downwardly, shaft 2| is moved upwardly, carrying with it a bracket 22 which is engageable with a pneumatic valve 23. A conduit 24 connects with the valve 23 and joins with a pneumatic cylinder 25 pivotally mounted to the frame 8 at 26, and having a piston rod 21 therein which is connected to the arm l8 for supporting the drum l3. Upon actuation of the valve 23 by the upward movement of the bracket 22, the

pneumatic cylinder 25 is operated, causing the arm l8 to swing on its pivot and provide tension to the bead wires mounted in the grooves M of the tire building drums l2 and I3. As the arm l8 reaches its outward position it engages with an electric switch 28 for starting the operation of the apparatus as more particularly described hereinafter.

As the valve mechanism 23 is actuated, stitching devices are simultaneously moved into engagement with the drums l2 and I3. A conduit 29 connects the valve mechanism 23 with a pneumatic cylinder 30 pivotally attachedto the frame 8 at 3|. "A piston rod 32, through arms 33 and 34 pivotally attached to the frame at 35, supports a stitching 'roller 36. The stitching roller 36 is of resilient composition, such as rubber, and is adapted to press firmly against the under side of the building drum l2 upon actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 30. In a somewhat similar manner, a conduit 31 connects with a cylinder 38 which, through piston rod 39 and arms 40 and 4|, functions to press a stitching roller 42 against the upper side of the building drum l3.

The pneumatic cylinders 25, 30, and 38, of conventional type, are single acting cylinders; that is, fluid under pressure is utilized to move the piston rod to an outward position, while a spring (not shown) within the cylinder causes the piston rod to recede upon release of fluid pressure by timing devices hereinafter described. When the valve mechanism 23 is actuated by the bracket 22, it continues to supply fiuid under pressure to the various pneumatic cylinders until it is re-actuated by a solenoid 289 controlled by a timing mechanism.

A spring 43 maintains the foot pedal 20 and .the vertical shaft 2| in their normal, inoperative position.

A plate 44 is mounted at the upper end of the vertical shaft 2|, and functions to move the fabric of the first ply into engagement with the under side of the bead wires described hereinafter in connection with the application of the first ply to the tire building drums.

In addition to the stitching rollers 36 and 42, means is provided in association with the building drum l2 for turning the fabricplies around the bead wires, and for stitching them down in that relation. A pair of ply turnover plows 45 and 46 (Figs. 5 and. '7) are mounted on a pivot shaft 41, and are adapted to engage with the surface of the building drum l2. The operation of the plows is further illustrated in Fig. 24. In addition to the plows, turn-over wheels 48 and 49 attached to the plows 45 and 46, respectively, function to move the fabric around-the bead wires as shown in Fig. 25. Stitching wheels 50 and 5|, mounted on arms pivotally"attached to the plows 45 and 46, respectively, in a manner to produce tension against the drum I2, stitch the fabric down after it is turned around the bead wires by the wheels 48 and 49, as more particularly shown in Fig. 26.

The turn-over plows (Figs. 5 and 7) and associated stitching wheels must be moved out of engagement with the building drum |2 in order that bead wires may be assembled on the drums, and to permit removal of the assembled carcass. This is effected by mounting the plows and associated stitching Wheels on the shaft 41 which is pivotally supported by the frame 8. An arm 52 attached to the shaft 41 is pivotally attached to a connecting link 53 which engages with a cam arm 54. The cam arm 54 is pivotally supported at 55 to the frame 8 and engages with a cam 56. Cam shaft 51 to which the cam 56 is attached is driven from a gear 58, pinion 59, and shaft 60, to a source of power hereinafter described. As thus provided, the cam 56 operates the turn-over plows and associated mechanisms at proper intervals in the sequence of the tire building operation.

Additional guide stitcher Wheels 6| mounted on a bracket 62 attached to the frame 8 assist in stitching the outer marginal portions of the fabric against the bead Wires. This stitching mechanism is shown in Figs. 5 and 30.

In splicing treads when building pneumatic tires it is general practice to soften the end surface of the tread in order to make it more suitable for splicing. Automatic means is provided for accomplishing this function, including roller 63 (Fig. 5) adapted to contact the leading end of an applied tread. The roller 63 is rotatably mounted on a receptacle 64 containing a fluid such as gasoline or rubber cement. By this arrangement, the surface of the roller 63 is coated with a fluid for transmission to the leading end of the tread. The container 64 is attached to an arm 65 connected to a shaft 66 pivotally mounted on the frame 8. An additional arm 61 (Fig. 6) also attached to the shaft 66 joins with a connecting link 68 pivotally attached to a cam arm 69 mounted on the shaft 55. A cam (Fig. 5) attached to the cam shaft 51 engages with the cam arm 69, resulting in movement of the rollers 63 toward the under side of the building drum I3 at that stage of the building operation when the end of the tread reaches the under side of the building drum I3.

At the end of each cycle of operation, timing mechanism, described hereinafter, functions through the solenoid 289 to operate the valve mechanism 23 to cut off the fluid pressure supply, thus causing the stitching rollers 36 and 42 to move out of engagement with the drums I2 and I3, respectively. The pneumatic cylinder 25, which is simultaneously actuated, causes the piston rod 21 to recede, carrying with it the pivoted arm I8 and building drum I3. This change of-position of the building drum I3 removes tension on the bead wires which have been applied to the drums, and permits the tire carcass to be readily removed from the building drums. Movement of the pivoted arm I8 also operates to disengage the electric switch 28, with the result that power is cut off from the driven building drum I2 to permit removal of the tire carcass therefrom. When this operation is completed a subsequent set of bead wires is placed on the building drums I2 and I3. The operator presses the foot pedal 20, and the mechanism continues in a similar cycle of operation.

First ply feeding and cutting mechanism After the bead wires are applied to the building drums I2 and I3, a ply of fabric, referred to as the first ply, is assembled with the under side of the bead wire. The apparatus and means for feeding, measuring, cutting, and applying first ply fabric to the bead wires is illustrated in particular in Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 5.

A belt type conveyor H (Fig. 11) disposed transversely of and between the reaches of the building drums I2 and I3 provides means for feeding the first ply toward the building drums. The belt conveyor II is supported by transverse members I2 and 13 attached to the frame plates 8 and 9. The conveyor is driven from a shaft 74 which connects with power means and timing devices hereinafter described.

At the building drum end of the conveyor II, and positioned thereover but between reaches of the building drums, a diagonally mounted cylinder 15 is located, the purpose of which is to transfer the first ply fabric from its transverse position on the conveyor II to a tangential position with respect to the building drums I2 and I3. The cylinder I5 is secured to a bracket I6 which in turn is attached to the main frame 8. In order to facilitate ease of movement of the first ply fabric around the diagonally disposed cylinder 15, a plurality of balls 11 are retained in the cylinder I5 in a manner to permit their projection partly out of the roller I5 and to have free, rotatable movement.

As the first ply fabric extends from the conveyor H around the cylinder I5 and toward the building drum I2, it is positioned between the plate 44 (Fig. 5) and the reaches of the bead wires. When an operator presses the foot pedal 20, the plate 44 is moved toward the under side of the bead wires, with the result that the first ply fabric lying therebetween is pressed into engagement with the bead wires. Due to the tacky condition of the bead wires and rubberized fabric, the first ply readily adheres to the bead wires and is carried along with same upon movement of the latter. To facilitate this operation, the plate 44 (Fig. 12) is provided with rollers 18.

When a sufficient length of first ply fabric has been applied to the building drums, the fabric is diagonally severed (Figs. 11 and 12). This operation is accomplished by a shear plate 19 which, at the proper time, moves into a position between the first ply fabric and the bead wires. The shear plate 19 is attached to a shaft journaled in bearings 8| fastened to the frame 8. An arm 82, also attached to the shaft 80, couples with a connecting link 83 joining a pivoted cam arm 84 (Fig. 13). Cam arm 84 engages with a cam 85 attached to a shaft 80 journaled in bearings attached to the frame members 8 and 9. A sprocket 81 keyed to the shaft 86 engages with a chain 88 which in turn engages with means, hereinafter described, for driving the shaft 86 at proper intervals.

The cutting edge of the shear plate 19 (Fig. 12) is provided with a blad member 89. In cooperative assembly with the blade 89 is a cutting device which comprises a main pivoted arm 90 to which is attached a blade holder arm 9| and a blade member 92. The arm 9I is pivoted to the arm 90 at 93, and a spring 94 normally retains the arm 9I against a stop bolt 95 supported by the arm 90. By this arrangement, proper engagement of the blade members 89 and 92 is assured.

A shaft 96 forming a part of the arm 90 is pivotally mounted in a bracket 91 (Fig. 11) attached to the frame 8. At the opposite end of the shaft 96 is an arm 98 which is coupled to a vertical rod 99 (Fig. 13). The lower end of the rod 99 is pivotally connected to arm I00 keyed to a shaft IOI supported by bearings attached to the frame members 8 and 9. A dog I02 is also attached to the shaft IN. A latch arm I 03 pivoted to the frame 8 at I04 includes means for engagement with the dog I02 for maintaining the vertical rod 99 in its upward position to hold the cutting mechanism normally in its inactive position. A spring I05 attached to the lower end of the vertical rod 99 and connected to the frame member 8 provides means for actuating the cutting mechanism upon disconnection of the latch arm I03 with th dog I02. The cutting mechanism as shown in Fig. 13 is in its operating or cutting position.

Means for resetting the cutting device and for causing the dog I02 to re-engage with the latch arm I03 is provided from the main cam shaft 51. This means includes an arm I06 coupled to a connecting link I01 pivotally attached to a cam arm I08. The cam arm I08 is pivoted to the shaft 55 and engages with the cam I09. The cam shaft 51 is driven in a manner to effect resetting the cutting device in the proper sequence of operation.

Actuation of the latch arm I03 away from the dog I02 is effected by a solenoid coil Ill] energized by an electrical timing device hereinafter described. A pair of brackets I I I extending from the solenoid pivotally engage with an arm II2 keyed to a horizontal shaft II3 journaled in bearings indirectly fastened to the frame members 8 and 9. A miter gear II4 meshes with a miter gear II5 to which is attached a latch arm H6. The purpose of the latch arm H6 is to provide actuating means for engaging with a latch member III pivoted at II 8 to the frame 8. A connecting link II9 joins the latch member II! with the latch arm I03, and a spring I20 maintains engagement between the latch arm I03 and the dog I92. A bumper I2I limits the movement of the latch member III.

Operation of the horizontal shaft II3 also has the function of controlling movement of the belt conveyor I I. The belt conveyor II is driven from the shaft I5 (Fig. 11) through a pair of spiral gears I23 and I24 to a conveyor drive shaft I25. The drive shaft I25 is in axial alignment with the conveyor shaft I4, and is indirectly connected therewith through a differential clutch mechanism I26. The differential clutch mechanism I26 is of the type illustrated in Fig. 17, and consists generally of a conventional device for permitting an axial drive therethrough, and for interrupting the through drive upon the release of a braking action associated therewith.

The braking action for the differential clutch mechanism I26 is controlled by movement of the horizontal shaft I I3, the connecting means being an arm I2I (Fig. 11) and link I28. A brake mechanism I29 is mounted on the conveyor shaft I4, and is also operated from the horizontal shaft II3 through an arm I30 and link I3I. The purpose of the horizontal shaft H3 is, therefore, to provide trip mechanism for the first ply fabric cutting device, to relieve the conveyor from its power driven means, and to apply a braking action for positive control of movement of the conveyor II.

First ply supply mechanism Means for supplying fabric to the first ply feeding mechanism is shown in particular in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. Essentially, it comprises means for supporting supply rolls, a splicing table, and a festoon mechanism.

A supply roll I 32 (Fig. 8) including first ply fabric wound between convolutions of a liner, is mounted on a roll I33 rotatably supported by the frame I0. From the supply roll I32 the liner material extends around a drive roller I34 keyed to ashaft I35 mounted on bearings attached to the frame members I and II. The drive roller I34 operates to wind the liner material to form a roll of liner I36 on a spindle I3I. An arm I38 pivoted to the frame I0 at I39 supports the spindle I3I. The first ply fabric stock I40 is withdrawn from the supply roll I32 and passed around driven rollers MI and I42. A shaft I45, mounted in bearings supported by the frame members I0 and I I, is keyed to and drives the roller I42. The

driven roller MI is mounted on an arm I43 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft I44 supported by bearings attached to the frame members I0 and II. The shaft I44 is driven, and a sprocket I46 is keyed to the shaft which joins with a sprocket I4I through a chain I48. Sprocket I4! is keyed to a shaft I49 to which roller MI is secured. In this manner the roller I4I rotates continuously, and, due to the weight of the arm I43 and driving mechanism, is adapted for constant engagement with the periphery of the supply roll I32.

The fabric stock I 40 passes around the roller I 42 and over a roller I50 attachedto the'frame I0. A roller II mounted on a pivoted arm I52 supported by the frame member I0 contacts with the fabric stock lying on top of the roller I 42. The object of this contact is to apply tension to the stock and to hold the stock in closer engagement with the drive roller I42. A roller I53 supported by an arm I54 pivotally attached to the frame member I0 at I55 engages with the stock I40 between the rollers I42 and I50. The arm I54 is held in the position as shown in Fig.

8 by tension of the stock I40 as it extends over the rollers I42 and I50. When the end of a roll of stock is reached, the tension in the stock in its position over rollers I42 and I50 is relieved, and the arm I54 is permitted to drop by its own Weight, thus operating cam mechanism hereinafter described for stopping the fabric drive.

A splicing table I56 is mounted in a horizontal position, and is attached to the frame member I0. The object of the splicing table is to permit splicing of the trailing and leading margins of stock each time a supply roll becomes exhausted.

From the splicing table I56 the stock I40 moves around an idler roll I5I to a driven roll I58 mounted on a shaft I59 supported by bearings attached to the frame members I0 and I I. From the driven roll I58 the stock I40 is fed into a festoon mechanism, which, in general, comprises a plurality of upper rollers I60 mounted on a bracket I6I attached to the frame member I0, and a plurality of lower rollers I62 mounted on a bracket I63 adaptable for vertical movement by mechanism hereinafter described. A drive roller I64 mounted on a shaft I65 supported by bearings attached to the frame members I0 and II operates to withdraw the stock I40 from the festoon device and to position the stock in a free loop for reception by the stock feeding conveyor II (Fig. 1). Guide rollers I66 (Fig. 1) mounted on a frame I6I attached to the frame member 9 assist in locating the stock I40 on the conveyor II.

The mechanism for driving the various rollers forming part of the first ply supply mechanism is shown in particular in Fig. 9. This view shows the operating mechanism which lies in back of the frame member I0 shown in Fig. 8.

In order that the festoon device will function properly, two separate drives are utilized, one for feeding the stock to the festoon and the other for removing stock from the festoon. The festoon feeding device is actuated by'an electric motor I68 operating through a reduction unit I69 supported by structural members H0 attached to the frame members I 0 and I I. A drive sprocket III extending from the reduction unit I69 meshes with a chain I12 and engages with a sprocket II3 attached to the main drive shaft I59 for feeding the fabric stock to the festoon device. The chain II2 also engages with a sprocket II4 attached to shaft I45 for driving the roller I42 (Fig. 8). An idler sprocket II5 completes the chain unit.

Also attached to the shaft I59 is a variable speed pulley II6 (Fig. l) which, through a belt III, connects with a pulley II8 keyed to a shaft II9 mounted in bearings supported by the frame members In and II. The liner drive roller I34 (Fig. 8) mounted on shaft I35 is driven from the shaft II9 (Fig. 9) through gears I and I8I. The shaft I44 which functions to drive the stripping roller; I4I (Fig. 8) is driven from the shaft II9 (Fig. 9) through sprockets I82 and I83 and a chain I84. This construction provides suitable means for driving the fabric stock toward the festoon device. a

The pivoted arm I54 (Fig. 8) for stopping the drive mechanism when tension on the fabric between rollers I42 and I43 is relieved operates, through the shaft I55, a cam I85 (Fig. 9). An electric switch I86 (Fig. 31) cooperates with cam I85 so that, when tension on the stock is relieved, as when approaching the end of a strip of stock, it will cut off the current to the motor I68 and. thus stop feeding movement of the stock 

